Drainer with rotatable drum and encircling belt for confining cans therebetween



R. B. BENTLEY 2,532,594 DRAINER WITH ROTATABLE DRUM AND ENCIRCLING BELT FOR CONFINING CANS THEREBETWEEN Dec. 5, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 10, 1945 INVENTOR. RAYMOND B. BEN TLEY ATTORNEY Dec. 5, 1950 R. B. BENTLEY 2,532,594

DRAINER WITH ROTATABLE DRUM AND ENCIRCLING BELT FOR CONFINING CANS THEREBETWEEN Filed April 10, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet .2

FEE-i INVENTOR. RAYMOND B BENTLEY A T TOR/VEV.

Patented Dec. 5, 1956 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DRAlNER WITH no'rA'r-ABLE DRUM AND ENCIR'GLING BELT FOR 'CONFINING CANS THEREBETWEEN Raymond BrBentley, Pacific Grove, Calif.

Application April '10, 1945,*Seria'l No. 587,643

6 Claims. 1

My invent-ion relates to 'drainers, and more particularly to apparatus for drainin the liquid contents from cans during the process of canning solid products, such as fishor'the like.

Among the objects of my invention are:

(1) To provide a novel and improved drainer adapted to handle tall cans as distinguished from flat, oval cans such as are customarily employed in the packingof sardines;

(.2) To provide a novel and improved drainer which-shall permit draining'of the cans, without injury to the solid contents thereof;

(3) To provide a novel and improved capable of handling tall calls with efiiciency, speed and effectiveness;

(4') To (provide a novel and improved drainer of large capacity, capable of handling tall cans;

('5) To provide a novel and improved drainer capable of sustained operation;

(6) To provide a novel and improved drainer which can be readily cleaned and serviced when desired.

Additional objects of my invention will be brought out in the following description of a :preferred embodiment of the same, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings where- Figure .1 is ta side elevational view of apparatus embodying my invention;

Figure 2 is an end elevational view of the apparatus;

Figure 3 is a View in section of a detail of construction of the apparatus of Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 4 is a segment of the drainer wheel and associated conveyors, in plan view;

Figure 5 is :a view in section in the plane 5-5 of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a view in section in the plane 6 o-fFigure 4.

Broadly considered, my improved drainer embodies a pair of independently movable elements having arcuate surfaces, substantially uniformly spaced from each other, .and drive means 'for independently moving such elements at the same angular velocity. The spacing between the surfaces is such as to snugly receive cans of the size to be drained, whereby when carried along by such moving surfaces, they will be snugly held against self-tipping. Specifically, and with reference to the drawings, the uniformly spaced-surfaces form part of a drainer wheel I disposed. between the sides of a frame 3 and includes a spoked wheel or drum 5 having a rim 6, such wheel being rotatably supported with its shaft 1 in bearings 9 carried by same drain er members H of the frame. The shaft extends on one side beyond the frame to provide an extension for the mounting of a drive gear I3.

Surrounding the wheel or drum 5 and included as part of the drainer wheel, 'is a pair of split rings I5 formed of angle iron. Each ring is affixed to one side of the frame with the split at the highest point thereof, and with its lateral flange 11 directed toward the other ring. When so mounted, the two split rings form spaced halves of a concentric channel about the wheel or .drum 5, having an opening at each side thereof at its highest point.

This channel is adapted to receive an openmesh endless conveyor belt 2! of a length sufficient to encircle a tensioning pulley 2.3, which isisupported above and in thelplane .01" the drainer wheel I, the belt being held in close contact with the lateral flanges H, which constitute the floor of the channel, from one end of the channel to the other, by an idler pulley 25 on one side of the opening to the channel and a .sprocketdrum .27 on the other side of the said opening, .the teeth of the sprocket drum being in mesh with the belt for driving purposes. I

The spacing between the .rim t of the wheel or drum and the floor of the channel is slightly less than the height of .the cans to be handled b the drainer, while the spacing between the lateral flanges I l forming the floor of the channel is such as to comfortably receive the ends of such cans, to permit such cans, when inserted in the wheel, to engage the Open-meshbelt.

To :assure proper centering of the cans with respect to the drainer wheel channel, a pair of guard rails 29 are supported by spacers 31 from the channel. These serve to define the proper path of travel for the cans, and thus guide them in their movement in the drainer wheel.

The tensioning .pulley 23 is journaled between apair of arms .33 afiixed to a shaft .35 supported between and adjacent the upper ends of corner members 3?! of the frame. 'This tensioningpulley is urged upwardly by a counterweight 39 on a moment arm 4| affixed to a shaft 43 disposed above the tensioning pulley frame shaft 35 and connected thereto through a sprocket 45 and gear 41. l

The degree of tension imparted to the drainer belt 2| is renderedadjustable by slidably mounting the counterweight 39 on its moment arm-and fixing such counterweight in an adjusted .position by a clamping bolt '49.

The belt drive drum 12-? carries an axially mounted sprocket 51 in the plane of the drainer wheel gear I3, both sprocket and gear being engaged by a common chain 53 in drive connection from a gear box 55 supported above the frame, the gear box in turn receiving power from a driving motor 51 mounted on the upper end of the frame.

An idler sprocket S adjustably mounted on an upper cross-bar 6| of the frame, is encircled by the drive chain 53 to assure proper drive engagement between the drum sprocket 21 and the belt. The teeth ratios of the various gears and sprockets involved in the common drive system from the gear box 55 to the wheel 5 and drainer wheel belt 2 i, is such that the rim 5 of the wheel and the belt 21 will travel at identical angular Velocities. Maintenance of this relationship is assured by reason of the fact that the drive to each originates in a common power source, namely the electric motor 51 and associated gear box 55.

The split in the drainer wheel channel and guard rings at the high points thereof provides spaces or openings for the introduction to and discharge from the drainer Wheel, of such cans as are to be drained. As a means of assuring smooth and continuous movement of such cans to and from the drainer wheel, I provide a pair of chain conveyors 63 and 55 passing the openings at either side of the wheel.

structurally, each chain conveyor comprises a supporting strip 61 of metal extending the length of the frame and supported on end cross-pieces B9 and H thereof. An endless chain 1'2 carried on end sprockets 13 and mounted on shafts journaled in bearings carried on brackets 11 and 19 which are afiixed to corner frame members, runs lengthwise over such strip and is flanked on the outerside by an angle iron section BI and on the innerside by a pair of shorter sections 63 to form a conveyor channel, down the middle of which runs this endless chain. The smaller sections 83 are longitudinally separated at the opening to the drainer wheel to provide access to or from the drainer wheel.

The thickness of the chain 12 is slightly greater than the thickness of the channel floor constituted by the lateral flanges of the angle iron sections BI and 83 from which the conveyor channel is formed, whereby the chain Will function as a carrier for such cans as are placed in the channel.

One of the conveyors, namely conveyor 63, will be considered as the loading conveyor for the drainer, whil the other conveyor 65 will be considered as receiving the cans from the drainer wheel after draining has been accomplished.

To effect transfer of cans from the conveyor 53 to the drainer wheel at the entering side of the drainer wheel, an angularly disposed deflecting wall 85 is placed across the channel of this conveyor, terminating at the far edge of the opening to the drainer wheel. Such deflecting wall serves to divert the cans from the conveyor toward the drainer wheel for transfer thereto.

To facilitate such transfer of cans, the conveyor chain as it approaches the opening to the drainer wheel, is caused to rise slightly above the high point of the rim 6 of the wheel 5 so as to enlist the aid of gravity. Such rise of the chain is effected by placing fixed wedges 81 and 88 beneath the chain to either side of the opening to the drainer wheel. In conjunction with this, inclines 3? and Qi are placed in the conveyor channel to each side of the chain along the stretch leading up to the opening, such inclines being of sufficient height to preclude excessive tilting of the cans as they are carried up by the chain. Their movement from the conveyor chain onto the rim of the wheel 5 of the drainer wheel is made gradual by a pair of inclined rails 93 affixed to the strip 61, or to a plate 68 applied thereto.

Once the cans have settled on the rotating rim of the wheel 5, they are guided to the center of the drainer wheel channel by the ends of the guide rails 29, which have been shaped for this purpose, and are held to that position by such rails as the cans are carried around by the drainer wheel. Before the cans have an opportunity to be carried very far by rotation of the wheel 5, the upper ends of the cans are engaged by the belt 2| and clamped between this belt and the rim 6 of the wheel 5 in such manner as to securely hold the cans against toppling, in their movement with the drainer wheel.

The cans being slightly higher than the distance between the wheel rim 6 and the channel floor on which the belt normally rides when the wheel is empty, the flexibility of the belt and the tensioning mechanism will permit of the lifting of the belt from the channel floor to the extent necessary to effect such grip on the cans.

Obviously, the cans in their travel in the drainer wheel, will be turned bottom-side-up, and by reason of the open-mesh construction of the belt, will be given an opportunity to drain themselves of liquid content into a suitable tank 94, to the exclusion of any solid matter packed in the cans, which is held therein by the belt and without damage. As the cans approach their starting position on the drainer wheel, they will be open-end up and ready for discharge onto the conveyor 65, disposed on the discharge side of the drainer wheel. Such discharge is effected by providing a deflecting wall 95 extending between the two conveyor channels across the surface of wheel 5 and connecting diagonally opposite points of the drainer wheel channel.

The discharge channel is disposed in a plane slightly below the high point of the wheel rim 6 to enlist the aid of gravity in making the transfer. Transfer of the cans from the rim to the conveyor chain is, like in the previous instance, eased by the provision of a pair of inclined rails 91 afiixed to the strip 61 over which the conveyor chain runs.

The chains 12 of the loading conveyor 63 and the discharge conveyor 65, preferably have the same linear velocity imparted to them by a chain l0l linking the gear box 55 with a sprocket 99 on the shaft of the conveyor sprocket 15, and such linear speed is preferably of the order of that of the rim 6 of the wheel 5.

It is apparent that as the cans approach the discharge position on the drainer Wheel, the drainer belt is automatically lifted therefrom, thus freeing the cans for discharge. The clamping effect of the belt upon the cans is very important in connection with the draining of tall cans, which would otherwise be very unstable under the conditions encountered.

The apparatus as described fully satisfies all the objects of my invention as previously set forth, and while I have disclosed a preferred embodiment of my invention in great detail, the same is subject to alteration and. modification, without departing from the underlying principles involved, and I accordingly do not desire to be limited in my protection to the exact details as illustrated and described, except as may be necessitated by the appended claims.

channel supported by said frame concentric with and surrounding said wheel, and spaced therefrom by a, distance slightly less than the height of a can to be drained, said channel being split at the top and having a peripheral slot slightly greater in width than the diameter of a can,

and extending the full periphery of said channel; a drainer belt encircling said channel in contact therewith in the absence of cans in said wheel; means for driving said wheel at a predetermined angular velocity; and means for mov- J ing said belt around said channel at the same angular velocity.

2. A drainer comprising a frame; a drainer wheel Within said frame and including a wheel or drum rotatably supported by said frame, a channel supported by said frame concentric with and surrounding said wheel, and spaced therefromby a distance slightly less than the height of a can to be drained, said channel having a peripheral slot slightly greater in width than the diameter of a can, and extending the full periphery of said channel, and a drainer belt encircling said channel in contact therewith in the absence of cans in said wheel; means for drivin said wheel at a predetermined angular velocity; and means for moving said belt around said channel at the same angular velocity.

3. A drainer comprising a frame; a drainer wheel within said frame and including a wheel or drum rotatably supported by said frame, a channel supported by said frame concentric with and surrounding said wheel, and spaced therefrom by a distance slightly less than the height of a can to be drained, said channel being split at the top and having a peripheral slot slightly greater in width than the diameter of a can, and extending the full periphery of said channel, a pair of spaced guide rails supported between said wheel and said channel in alignment with said channel, and a drainer belt encircling said channel in contact therewith in the absence of cans in said wheel; means for driving said wheel at a predetermined angular velocity; and means for moving said belt around said channel at the same angular velocity.

4. A drainer comprising a frame; a drainer wheel within said frame and including a wheel or drum rotatably supported by said frame, a channel supported by said frame concentric with and surrounding said wheel, and spaced therefrom by a distance slightly less than the height of a can to be drained, said channel being split at the top and having a peripheral slot slightly greater in width than the diameter of a can, and extending the full periphery of said channel, and a drainer belt encircling said channel in contact 6 therewith in the absence of cans in said wheel; means for driving said wheel at a predetermined angular velocity; means for moving said belt around said channel at the same angular velocity; a feeding conveyor along one side of said drainer wheel adjacent the split therein; a discharge conveyor along the other side of said drainer wheel adjacent the split therein; and means for deflecting cans from said feeding conveyor to said drainer wheel and from said drainer wheel to said discharge conveyor.

5. A drainer comprising a frame; a drainer wheel within said frame and including a wheel or drum rotatably supported by said frame, a channel supported by said frame concentric with and surrounding said wheel, and spaced therefrom by a distance slightly less than the height of a can to be drained, said channel being split at the top and having a peripheral slot slightly greater in width than the diameter of a can, and extending the full periphery of said channel, and a drainer belt encircling said channel; means for driving said wheel at a predetermined angular velocity; means for moving said belt around said channel at the same angular velocity; and automatic tension-rig means for yieldably maintaining said drainer belt in contact with said channel in the absence of cans in said wheel.

6. A drainer comprising a frame; a drainer wheel within said frame and including a wheel or drum rotatably supported by said frame, a channel supported by said frame concentric with and surrounding said wheel, and spaced therefrom by a distance slightly less than the height of a can to be drained, said channel being split at the top and having a peripheral slot slightly greater in width than the diameter of a can, and extending the full periphery of said channel, and a drainer belt encircling said channel; automatic tensioning means for yieldably maintaining said drainer belt in contact with said channel in the absence of cans in said wheel; means for driving said wheel at a predetermined angular velocity; means for moving saidbelt around said channel at the same angular velocity; conveyor means for feeding cans to the rim of said wheel at one point; conveyor means for receiving cans from said wheel at another point; and means for moving both said conveyor means at approximately the linear velocity of said wheel rim.

RAYMOND B. BENTLEY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

.UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 551,908 Rada et a1. Dec. 24, 1895 723,504 Titus Mar. 24, 1903 1,504,838 Rickard Aug. 12, 1924 

